Since the premier of the show ‘CSI’ years ago, more and more people are taking up an interest in the criminal justice field. With so much hanging on the line, the room for error is razor thin—and actually thinner—there simple is none. Risking the loss of a court case, a delay in closing a case, or even a career advancement are all on the line if you aren’t up to speed and equipped with the right tools to get there.
Many of those who take a few moments to put serious thought into it might find themselves wanting to become a crime scene investigator. While the television show usually shows the cases being solved, and the characters looking prim and proper and make things look a lot simpler than they really are, reality will demonstrate a very different scenario.
Role of the CSI
The role of a crime scene investigator is very crucial to solving any crime and finding answers to what really happened. It definitely isn’t a glamorous job or for those with weak stomachs. The hours can be long and brutal and sleep may be rare at times. A crime scene investigator is much more likely to get stressed and burned out than that of many other jobs. Sure, the role might look great on TV. Or you might think it would be wonderful to tell people that you are a crime scene investigator. However, it isn’t impressive when you’re getting ready to watch your children open up their Christmas gifts and your pager goes off. When that pager goes off, you’re expected to be someplace as soon as possible. Crime scenes must be processed immediately so that evidence isn’t lost, damaged or destroyed as the hours move on.
Working Conditions
A crime scene investigator might not always have the most pleasant of working conditions. They don’t work at a desk all day long. Instead, they are onsite of whatever needs to be investigated. You might find them digging in the dirt or crawling around a house. Crime scenes aren’t always attractive. Seeing a dead individual can stay lodged in your memory forever. A crime scene investigator has to take blood samples and look for fingerprints. They may spend many hours working around bodies and unpleasant scenes. That can take a huge toll on someone.
Most Importantly, There is No Room for Error
Then, there is the fact that there is no room for error as a crime scene investigator. One tiny mistake can have a case thrown out of court. A tiny mistake can determine a person’s guilt or innocence. Why then leave the recording or capture of your witness testimony to anything other than a reliable, easy-to-use unit, like iRecord digital audio and video recording system?
When so much is riding on the line, for families and friends (and the court) who expect and depend on everything to move toward solving a crime, errors and inefficient equipment alike can cause unnecessary hold ups. What’s more, if a crime scene investigator makes a mistake, the repercussions aren’t just getting a scolding from the boss, it means that justice may not prevail.
The Value of Evidence Vaults
One system that can streamine and organize information throughout a case’s life is an evidence vault, which creates a secure, central repository for al of your digital interview content. Consider the following questions:
- Do you still use log books or binders to keep track of your custodial interviews?
- Do you want better control of all items with chain of custody tracking and reporting that will tell you exactly what you have at any given time?
- Do you want a central repository to store all your interviews?
The iRecord Evidence Vault is one of the very first interview management tracking applications for police and law enforcement agencies. Our software is ideal for agencies that track interviews from the point of recording by detective until it is ordered to be destroyed. Ultimatly, helping justice prevail and figuring out the facts is what makes a crime scene investigator thrive. It makes the long hours and unpleasant working conditions all worthwhile. But more, it’s what gets cases closed and communities safer.
Contact iRecord today to learn more about evidence vault management systems, digital audio and video recording solutions and more!